Josh Hamilton free agency 2012: Why the Boston Red Sox should make a strong run at the slugger

When at his best, Josh Hamilton is a unique and dominant offensive talent. AP

It wasn't too long ago that Boston Red Sox baseball pundits, myself included, urged the Red Sox not to pursue the top offensive free agent on the market.

Since my column, things have changed. Red Sox moves have shed light on their intentions and path toward success.

It is not exactly a total commitment toward building for the future.

The Red Sox started the offseason by re-signing slugger David Ortiz, then brought on backup veteran catcher Dave Ross.

This past week at baseball's winter meetings the team added three talented free agents, all of whom are past the age of 30. Mike Napoli, Shane Victorino and Koji Uehara are all talented players, but they're not guys you would bring on with long-term success in mind.

As a fan you can agree or disagree with that strategy. Regardless, the Red Sox appear to be looking to bulk up the roster in the short term, while retaining the majority of their minor league talent pool.

If this is the path the Red Sox have chosen to travel, signing Josh Hamilton makes a lot of sense.

Yes he carries risks. He's had injuries, he has battled to stay sober, and he endured a very rough second-half slump last season. He's also capable of totally carrying a team offensively.

The last time the Red Sox had someone like that in the lineup, his name wasn't Adrian Gonzalez, it was Manny Ramirez. Ramirez was also a player who carried a fair amount of baggage. It was drastically different baggage, but it was baggage nonetheless.

Here's what else Manny carried.

He carried the Red Sox to not one, but two World Series titles. Of course he had plenty of help, but let's be clear here. Manny was the 2004 World Series MVP.
Is there a more lasting memory of the 2007 postseason run to glory than Manny, arms extended in the air, celebrating his dramatic Game 2 walk-off home run that all but destroyed any hope the Los Angeles Angels had of winning the ALDS?

Since the Red Sox dealt Manny Ramirez in the summer of 2008, the team has scored plenty of runs but has not been as successful. The offense has been potent, but it hasn't felt the same. Even when Adrian Gonzalez was in that memorable groove back in May of 2011, he wasn't in the same type of groove Manny used to get in.

Most players never get hot with the bat in the same manner Ramirez used to. And even if the influence of PED's now hovers over his accomplishments, most players still don't possess the raw talent and strength to strike fear into opposing pitchers the way he once did.

Hamilton does.

Last May, here is what Hamilton did in 96 at-bats: He hit .344 with 12 home runs and 32 RBI. His OPS was 1.187. He had 75 total bases in 25 games!

Now that's not a normal month for anyone, even Hamilton. It is also not completely out of character for a hitter of Hamilton's stature. He can carry teams, and that's not something easily found in baseball.

If Hamilton can actually be signed for a three- or four-year deal at $20-$25 million per season, perhaps the Red Sox need to take that risk. I'm not suggesting the team sign him to a lengthy deal of five years or more.

Adding Hamilton carries injury risk, but having Ellsbury and Victorino allows the Red Sox to play Hamilton in left field, and would also allow them to slide Johnny Gomes in as a (more-than-capable) backup in the event Hamilton were injured.

It might be worth mentioning that having Hamilton's arm in Fenway's shallow left field could be a serious difference maker when opposing players try to stretch singles into doubles, or score from second base.

There's no better baseball player available this offseason than Josh Hamilton. He's a better offensive player than Zack Greinke is a pitcher.

Hamilton is a high-risk, high-upside signing. So was Ramirez, though, and the Red Sox won two World Series with him in uniform.

As if the Red Sox need any other motivation to maintain a serious pursuit of Josh Hamilton, Bob Nightengale of USA Today suggests the New York Yankees may be lurking in the background, prepping to make a run at him. ESPN's Jim Bowden also seems to think the Yankees could be in the mix for Hamilton.

The combination of Hamilton's prodigious upside, and the potential threat of seeing him in pinstripes should be plenty of motivation to keep the Red Sox not just in the hunt, but possibly in the lead for Hamilton's services.

Hamilton's risks are very real, but so is his talent. Red Sox fans who might be asking themselves if the team can afford to pay Hamilton's lofty price tag might instead want to ask if they can afford not to.